Industry Experts Gear Up for the 2022 Welding Summit

Presenters explore solutions for global manufacturing challenges

By Alexandra QuiÑones

After a three-year hiatus, AWS will host the Welding Summit from August 25 to 26 at The Woodlands Resort, The Woodlands, Tex. The conference comprises two days of presentations, demonstrations, and exhibits during which industry experts will discuss key issues affecting the welding industry.

The fallout from the pandemic, ongoing supply chain challenges, and uncertainty in the geopolitical landscape make this a rich opportunity to expand technical knowledge and awareness, restore critical networking resources, and formulate long-term strategies for driving business and attracting talent.

“The 2022 Welding Summit will be the premier event for the welding community,” said Gary Konarska II, AWS executive director and CEO. “With two content themes highly relevant to today’s dynamic market, industry professionals will take home real-world solutions they can implement immediately.”

Opening with the Pre & Post Heat Treatment Seminar

The Welding Summit will be preceded by the Pre & Post Heat Treatment seminar on August 24. It will feature interactive presentations on applying new methods and workforce sourcing to projects to alleviate the costs and scheduling issues associated with postweld heat treatment. Guests can attend both the Welding Summit and the Pre & Post Heat Treatment seminar together or either one individually.

A View of the Summit

Keynote presenters and their discussions include John Hark, director, North America, Berting Logistics, “Supply Chain Issues and Introduction to the Tracks”; Phyllis Hall, vice chair, Shook and Fletcher, “Join the Best. Be the Best”; and Shanen Aranmór, owner, Weld Like a Girl™, “How to (Accidentally) Recruit Nontrades to the Welding Industry.”

The Welding Summit will feature two distinct tracks that cover key issues affecting the welding industry. The Emerging Trends in Welding track will provide insights into the latest industry developments and new and evolving technologies. Attendees will learn about placing more value on welding operations and the best ways to execute welding plans in projects. The Attracting and Retaining Talent track will discuss strategies for employee recruitment and development.

Attendees can earn four professional development hours (PDHs) for the Pre & Post Heat Treatment seminar, 14 PDHs for the Welding Summit, or 18 PDHs for both seminars.

Additionally, guests can visit the AWS Careers in Welding Trailer and network at the Arcs and Ales event on August 25 at 7 p.m.

For previous coverage on the Welding Summit, check out “The 2019 Welding Summit Tackles the Business of Welding” in the January 2020 Welding Journal and “The Welding Summit Climbs to New Heights” in the March 2019 Welding Journal.

Stay Ahead of the Game

Considering today’s volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous business environments coupled with many organizations still transitioning to Industry 4.0 and/or 5.0, it is critical to continuously improve productivity, learn, explore emerging industry trends, and attract and retain quality talent. To attend the Welding Summit, register at aws.org/weldingsummit.  WJ   

ALEXANDRA QUIÑONES (aquinones@aws.org) is associate editor of the Welding Journal.